La Vernia, Texas, Wilson County. (original) (raw)

History in a Pecan Shell

The origin of the name is not clear. It was originally called Live Oak Grove by W.R. Wiseman, one of the town's founders and the organizer of the Presbyterian church. In addition, a post office was granted under the name Post Oak in 1853. It was changed in 1859 to La Vernia, although no one really knows why.

Like most towns, the first postmaster was also the storekeeper and in the case of La Vernia, this was H. Suhre.

The population was mainly comprised of Polish and German immigrants and totaled 200 persons for the 1890 census.

The coming of the railroad (The San Antonio and Gulf) bolstered the population to nearly 350 in 1900. By 1915, La Vernia had a brick yard, a pottery business and four churches as well as two gins and a gristmill (which had opened years earlier).

Lavernia, Texas Attractions

La Vernia Heritage Museum

	The Brahan Masonic Lodge c. 1859 TE photo, April 2001

	The La Vernia Drugstore TE photo, April 2001

	A scene in La Vernia* TE photo, April 2001

La Vernia, Texas Forum

• My grandfather Lucio Elizondo settled in La Vernia in the mid-1890's and is buried in the Concrete Cemetery along with my grandmother Gertrudes. They had several children also born there - Florentino (my father born Oct. 16,1903, Stella, Alicia, Maria, and Sarah Elizondo. My cousin Esperanza aka Hope Elizondo daughter of Paul and Patricia was raped and murdered in approx. 1942. The murderer was sent to the elec. chair. His first name was Jesus.
  After my father married in 1926 he moved with his wife Virginia back to La Vernia. My parents had eight children. My brothers Jesse, Richard and Eddie were raised there. My father worked for Dr. Martin in the La Vernia Drug Store from 1939 to about 1943. My brother Jesse tells me that the Harry Schraub Store used to be Browsie. He went to school with the children of Harry and Burnell Schraub. He says the Masonic Lodge was first an agricultural Bldg. He went to school with Allen Kosub from 39 - 41. He says there is currently a stone marker in town which gives a definition of the name La Vernia. He says Wm Weisman's son Ben was a pilot during the war.
  We would like to know about the sand hills of La Vernia. Does anyone have any information?
  I grew up in San Antonio but made many visits to La Vernia with my family. My uncle Frutoso Elizondo and his wife raised their family there. I loved going for hamburgers at Strey's.
  I understand the building where my father worked for Dr. Martin still stands and has been turned into a museum with all the original furniture. My father had been a soda jerk and the original soda fountain is featured. What is the name of the current place of business that holds this museum? Thank you and I hope to hear from [someone] soon. - Virginia Carroll, October 6, 2005
• *****The store always was Schraub Store, owned and ran by Harry Schraub. The name painted on the building reads Schraub... The owner and my family traded there. I still have a receipt from 1956 on a purchase made there. - Randall Strey, July 06, 2002

Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.